The West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) delivered record gas volumes in 2025, signalling a new phase for regional energy integration. Gas deliveries increased by more than 20% from both eastern and western supply sources.
This surge in deliveries reflects strong growth in gas demand across West Africa. WAPCo’s West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) also continued this strong performance into 2026, achieving record delivery rates. Improving infrastructure reliability and plans to expand capacity are positioning the region for significant energy integration.
The West Africa Gas Pipeline stretches 569 kilometres from Nigeria through Benin and Togo to Ghana. This regional project links gas-producing areas with major demand centres. The pipeline now functions as a bidirectional, open-access system after Ghana developed its offshore gas resources. This change allows more flexibility and better service to the 17 shippers currently using the network. The significant performance turnaround is notable for a project that historically faced supply disruptions and reliability issues.
Abiodun Bodunrin, Managing Director of WAPCo, highlighted the improvements at the West African Gas Summit 2026 in Accra. He stated that 2025 was WAPCo’s best year since commercial operations began in 2011. Mr. Bodunrin noted that first-quarter average throughput rose to about 257,000 MMBtu from historical averages of 219,000 MMBtu. Peak delivery rates have reached approximately 315,000 MMBtu this year.
WAPCo expects existing infrastructure can handle much higher volumes without needing major capital expenditure in the short term. Pipeline utilisation reached about 60% at peak periods in 2025, up from typical levels of 45% to 50%. This demonstrates substantial unused capacity remains available. WAPCo plans to increase gas deliveries from Nigeria by an additional 100 million standard cubic feet per day this year. This represents roughly a 70% increase compared with last year.
Over the next five years, WAPCo aims for an almost 80% increase in system capacity relative to 2025. This will involve upgrades at receiving and metering stations across the network. This strategy relies on increasing gas demand across the region. Governments are pursuing industrialisation, power generation expansion, and energy security objectives. However, Mr. Bodunrin cautioned that infrastructure alone will not drive the next stage of growth.
Despite rising throughput, only about 30% of current transported volumes have firm contracts. The rest consists largely of interruptible arrangements. This situation creates challenges for attracting investment into expansion projects. Lenders and investors typically need long-term contractual commitments before financing additional infrastructure. Mr. Bodunrin stressed that payment discipline remains a significant constraint. Payment challenges throughout the West African gas value chain could undermine investment efforts if they are not resolved.
Reliable gas supply from Nigeria, the dominant source, is also crucial. Investments in Nigeria’s domestic gas infrastructure are expected to improve supply reliability. These investments will support higher export volumes into the regional network. Operationally, WAPCo has made significant progress, with pipeline availability and reliability improving from about 87% to 99.3% in 2025. These improvements are critical for rebuilding customer confidence and encouraging long-term contracts.
WAPCo is also exploring opportunities to extend the network to Côte d’Ivoire. They may integrate with broader continental gas infrastructure initiatives, like the proposed African Atlantic Gas Pipeline. This expansion would create a more integrated regional gas market. For this vision, governments, regulators, suppliers, and consumers must strengthen contract enforcement and regulatory alignment. Improving payment performance is also crucial.